Week 1 NFL injuries that matter for fantasy

Staying on top of injuries throughout the week, and especially on Sunday mornings, is one of the easiest ways to maintain an edge in fantasy football. Outside of, you know, just making sure you don’t have inactive players in your starting lineup, it’s important to understand how one injury can greatly impact the fantasy potential of other skill position players within a game.

Lucky for you, this weekly series is here to help. Rather than just frantically refreshing each team’s injury report, I’ll do the heavy lifting Saturday night and update injuries and provide analysis once inactives are released and early game-time decisions finalized on Sunday mornings.

Early Inactives

Lance Dunbar, RB, Los Angeles Rams (knee) — Placed on PUP
Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (core) – Placed on IR
Erik Swoope, TE, Indianapolis Colts (knee) – Placed on IR
Rico Gathers, TE, Dallas Cowboys (concussion) – Placed on IR

Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts (shoulder) – Out
Alfred Blue, RB, Houston Texans (ankle) — Out
Devontae Booker, RB, Denver Broncos (wrist) – Out
Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans (shoulder) — Out
Willie Snead, WR, New Orleans Saints (suspended) — Out
Jaelen Strong, WR, Houston Texans (suspended) — Out
Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (back) – Out
Chester Rogers, WR, Indianapolis Colts (hamstring) — Out
Jordan Leggett, TE, New York Jets (knee) – Out
C.J. Uzomah, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (ankle) – Out

Questionable

Markus Wheaton, WR, Chicago Bears (finger) – Doubtful

Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks (ankle) – Game Time Decision
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (hamstring) – Game Time Decision
Terron Ward, RB, Atlanta Falcons (hamstring) – Game Time Decision
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants (ankle) – Game Time Decision
John Ross, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (knee) – Game Time Decision
Dontrelle Inman, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (groin) – Game Time Decision
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (knee) – Game Time Decision

Tyrell Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (groin) – Expected to Play
Curtis Samuel, WR, Carolina Panthers (ankle) – Expected to Play
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks (knee) – Expected to Play
Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington Redskins (hip) – Expected to Play
Brice Butler, WR, Dallas Cowboys (foot) – Expected to Play
Braxton Miller, WR, Houston Texans (ankle) – Expected to Play
Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit Lions (ankle) – Expected to Play
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers, TE (hamstring) – Expected to Play
D’Onta Foreman, RB, Houston Texans (groin) – Expected to Play
Jordan Matthews, WR, Buffalo Bills (chest) – Expected to play

Notable Non-Skill Position Injuries

Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis Colts (groin) – Out – The Colts will be without their top cornerback as well as safety Clayton Geathers (neck). All receivers get a boost, but especially Sammy Watkins.
Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams (holdout) — Out – Our single highest-graded player in 2016 finally reported to the team, but will not play in Week 1. Slight upgrade for all Colts offensive players. For Scott Tolzien, this helps offsets the loss of center Ryan Kelly (foot). That said, the Rams D/ST is still a strong start.
Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns (ankle) – Out – The No. 1-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft is out for Week 1. Slight upgrade for Ben Roethlisberger and Le’Veon Bell, not that you weren’t starting them already.
Kyle Long, LG, Chicago Bears (ankle) — Doubtful — Jordan Howard takes a slight hit.
Prince Amukamara, CB, Chicago Bears (ankle) – Doubtful – Starting CB, gives a slight boost to Atlanta wide receivers.
Jimmy Ward, S, San Francisco 49ers (hamstring) – Doubtful – Three straight seasons allowing a passer rating over 100.0. Doesn’t particularly move the needle too much.

Updates/Analysis

Sebastian Janikowski, K, Oakland Raiders [1:00 PM] – Out – Janikowski was placed on injured reserve Saturday. He’s worth dropping in any leagues you may still be rostering him. Giorgio Tavecchio will be kicking for the Raiders in Janikowski’s absence, but until we see him on the field, better to look for a non-Oakland Janikowski replacement.

Markus Wheaton, WR, Chicago Bears [1:00 PM] – Out – Wheaton is inactive versus the Falcons today. This should quell any fears that Kendall Wright might not be on the field in 2WR sets. As I wrote about earlier in the week, Wright is a fine flex play in PPR leagues and an excellent DFS play this week.

John Ross, WR, Cincinatti Bengals [1:00 PM] – Out – As expected, Bengals’ speedy rookie is out after missing most of preseason. Brandon LaFell gets a slight bump, and maybe A.J. Green as well – who saw a ridiculous target market share this preseason.

Zach Zenner, RB, Detroit Lions [1:00 PM] – Out – With Zenner inactive, and now less competition for goal line carries, Abdullah gets a slight bump.

Jeremy Kerley, WR, New York Jets [1:00 PM] – Out – I hope you weren’t looking to start any Jets wide receivers this week (or likely any week), but with Kerley inactive, electrifying rookie Ardarius Stewart should start in 3WR sets.

LeShaun Sims, CB, Tennessee Titans [1:00 PM] – Out – Sims starts outside in 3WR sets, and will be replaced by the talented but very raw rookie Adoree’ Jackson. Based on an underwhelming college portfolio and the fact that he was our fifth-worst-graded cornerback in coverage this preseason, I’d bump up both Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, who were both already in fantastic spots.

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars [1:00 PM] – Out – Although Leonard Fournette wasn’t exactly an impressive route runner or pass-catcher in college, it is possible he plays on all three downs with Yeldon out this week. On the basis he may see more targets than he otherwise should have, Fournette gets a boost this week.

Wait And See

Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks [4:25 PM] – Rawls appears more ‘doubtful’ than ‘questionable’ to play in today’s afternoon game. In what projects to be a frustrating running back by committee situation (even with Rawls out), Eddie Lacy gets bumped to being a flex-worthy play, though C.J. Prosise and Chris Carson will see some work.

Bryan Bulaga, RT, Green Bay Packers [4:25 PM] – Officially listed as questionable, it was reported by Aaron Nagler of PackerNews.com that Bulaga would miss today’s game with an ankle injury. Bulaga was below average in the running game last season, but graded out as our top right tackle in pass blocking. His absence certainly hurts Aaron Rodgers up against a stout Seattle pass rush. Obviously, you’re still starting him.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants [8:30 PM] – The Giants are set to play tonight at 8:30 PM (EST), and it’s looking increasingly more likely Beckham sits out. If you currently have Beckham in your starting lineup, make sure you have a second option playing on Monday night. If Beckham is out, the entire Giants offense takes a hit, though receivers should gain a boost in targets. Dallas’ defense becomes a fine streaming option.